According to the annual Global Peace Index (GPI) published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, Iceland has remained the world’s most peaceful country for 17 consecutive years, leading the ranking in 2025 with an index score of 1.095. The lower the score, the more peaceful the country. Other countries among the most peaceful include Ireland (1.26), New Zealand (1.282), Austria (1.294), Switzerland (1.294), Singapore (1.357), Portugal (1.371), Denmark (1.393), Slovenia (1.409), and Finland (1.42).

The index measures countries’ levels of peacefulness, with its methodology built around three broad pillars: societal safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation. These pillars are assessed using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators.

The latest edition of the Global Peace Index 2025 covers 163 countries and territories, accounting for 99.7% of the world’s population. Over the year, the global average level of peacefulness, which has been declining for six consecutive years, fell by a further 0.36%.

In 2025, the world recorded 59 active state-based conflicts — the highest number since the Second World War. In 2024, more than 1,000 conflict-related deaths were recorded in 17 countries, while a further 18 states saw more than 100 deaths. Over the past five years, 98 countries have been at least partially involved in some form of external conflict.

According to the Global Peace Index 2025, the least peaceful countries were Russia (3.441) and Ukraine (3.434), which have been engaged in an armed conflict for nearly four years. Other countries among the least peaceful included Sudan (3.323), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.292), Yemen (3.262), Afghanistan (3.229), Syria (3.184), South Sudan (3.117), Israel (3.108), and Mali (3.061).

Among Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan emerged as the most peaceful, ranking 56th globally with an index score of 1.875. Compared with the previous year, the country climbed five positions, while its peace index improved by 0.042 points. Uzbekistan followed in 67th place with an index of 1.926. Uzbekistan moved up two positions, with its index improving by just 0.018 points.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan ranked 78th and 79th, with index scores of 1.926 and 1.988, respectively. Notably, Kyrgyzstan advanced by five positions, while Tajikistan climbed as many as ten. Tajikistan also recorded a more pronounced improvement in its index, by 0.044 points, compared with an improvement of only 0.023 points for Kyrgyzstan.

Turkmenistan ranked 87th globally with an index score of 2.019, rising seven positions over the year. Its index improvement, at 0.05 points, was the strongest among all Central Asian countries.

Overall, the Global Peace Index 2025 points to a continued deterioration in global peacefulness amid a record number of armed conflicts and broader state involvement in external confrontations. At the same time, against the backdrop of this global decline, Central Asian countries are showing moderately positive dynamics, with Kazakhstan retaining its status as the most peaceful country in the region while improving both its ranking position and overall index score.